Tag: USA

The Raspberries | Go All the Way

AllMusic’s bio of The Raspberries describes the Cleveland, OH-based band as running counter to the “epic pretensions and pomposity of ’70s-era rock to proudly reclaim the spirit and simplicity of classic pop, recalling the heyday of the British Invasion with their exquisitely crafted melodies and achingly gorgeous harmonies.” The vocalist and songwriter, Eric Carmen, also pursued a prominent solo career.

The 1972 single “Go All the Way” has a rich harmonic vocabulary from top to bottom. The first modulation hits after the guitar-driven intro as the verse starts (0:29), shifting from A major to C major. Many thanks to inveterate contributor JB for this submission.

Brenda Lee | Danke Schön

“Danke Schön” is originally a pop song of German origin, written in 1959 by Bert Kaempfert and Kurt Schwabach. The track gained international fame when it was recorded by Wayne Newton in 1963. The version featured here, performed by Brenda Lee, was included on her 1964 album By Request. Key changes at 0:34, 1:01, 1:28, and 1:55.

Richard Marx | The Way She Loves Me

The lead track and second single from singer/songwriter Richard Marx‘s fourth album Paid Vacation (1994), “The Way She Loves Me,” reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100) and #3 on the Adult Contemporary charts. The track featured a jaw-dropping roster: Bill Champlin on organ, Leland Sklar on bass, and Lionel Richie and Luther Vandross (a longtime friend of Marx’s) on backing vocals.

Starting with a street corner-style a cappella arrangement in E major, the tune transitions to C# major before the groove even kicks in (0:18). From there, the expansive shuffle feel is in the driver’s seat, leading us to a shift to E major for the chorus (1:08), then back to C# major for the next verse; the pattern continues from there. At 4:01, the tune closes with the chorus, pared back to a sublimely blended a cappella sound.

Big Mountain | Baby, I Love Your Way

Peter Frampton‘s “Baby, I Love Your Way” was originally released in 1975 as a single, and when it didn’t gain any traction he included it on his live album Frampton Comes Alive the following year, helping the album become a huge hit. The track also appeared in the 2000 movie High Fidelity, performed by Lisa Bonet. The cover featured here, performed by the American reggae/pop band Big Mountain, reached #6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #2 on the UK Singles Chart. Key change at 3:16.

Knower | Trust the Light

In a departure from its trademark uptempo jazz/funk sound, electronica duo Knower‘s “Trust the Light” (2010) is a gentle waltz. Full of harmonic pivots, the tune features a simple but compelling 5-note melodic motif, first heard at 0:06 – 0:08. The motif is the only constant as the harmonic ground falls from beneath our feet between 0:24 and 0:50. At 0:51, we’re back in the original key for a second verse of this engaging miniature; starting at 1:08, the motif echoes again over the outro. This tiny jewelbox of a tune runs for a total of only 1:40.

Many thanks to MotD fan Jonathan JHarms Harms for this submission!

The Beach Boys | Fun, Fun, Fun

Wrapping up Beach Boys week is “Fun, Fun, Fun,” a 1964 single by The Beach Boys which features a guitar riff during the opening inspired by Chuck Berry’s iconic “Johnny B. Goode”. The track hit #5 in the US, #5 in Australia, and #8 in New Zealand.

The tune modulates at 1:51. Many thanks to frequent contributor JB for this submission and so many others!

The Beach Boys | Be True to Your School

Continuing with Beach Boys week: “Be True to Your School,” by Brian Wilson and Mike Love of The Beach Boys, was released in 1963. The melody of the University of Wisconsin fight song, “On, Wisconsin,” can be heard on the track. There was also single version, which was released with “In My Room”. The tune peaked at #6 on the Billboard charts, but also #3 in New Zealand, #6 in Sweden, and #10 Australia. However, the single performed best back home in Los Angeles: three weeks at #1, according to airplay on KFWB.

The key change is at 1:54, interspersed with cheerleader chants. Many thanks to Rob Penttinen for this submission!

The Beach Boys | When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)

Because frequent contributor JB has sent in over a dozen tunes by this classic American band over the past few weeks — and because it’s now the depths of January AND the material is a harmonic feast — we bring you a week devoted entirely to The Beach Boys!

“When I Grow Up (To Be a Man),” written and composed by Brian Wilson and Mike Love (1965), reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has a lyric written from an adolescent’s POV. According to the book “Smile: The Story of Brian Wilson’s Lost Masterpiece,” Wilson had a “fervent desire to reinvent himself as an individual, not as a boy.” The single, which is only two minutes long, modulates at 1:32.

Have You Seen a Child (from “Amahl + the Night Visitors”)

Weekend bonus mod: thanks to frequent contributor JB! Written by Gian Carlo Menotti, an Italian-American composer and librettist, Amahl and the Night Visitors first aired on NBC on Christmas Eve, 1951; it was the first opera written specifically for television and was intended to be children’s programming.

According to Opera Magazine, Menotti was challenged by deadlines; he was assisted by his composition colleague Samuel Barber in completing the orchestrations, which were first performed under the baton of NBC Symphony Orchestra conductor Arturo Toscanini. The production, later staged by many opera companies, was aired on national TV for eleven years straight; sporadic performances have continued over the years.

The main theme is repeated in several keys; the first modulation is at 0:33.